27 May 2011
Biggin Hill is the 206th UK airport to join the AOPA ‘Strasser Scheme’.
Biggin Hill is the latest airport to have now joined the scheme, after Bristol Filton. In all, 206 UK airports have signed onto the scheme, which means that have accepted the potentially life saving recommendation of the CAA CAP 667 9.2 (c) and agreed to waive fees for GA pilots of aircraft under three tonnes not flying for hire or reward, making a genuine emergency or precautionary diversion landing other than at their planned alternate.
Only six UK airports remain, out of the 212 approached, who have so far refused to join the scheme . They are Belfast International, Cardiff, Carlisle, Leeds-Bradford, London-Luton and Manchester.
The full CAA CAP 667 9.2(c) recommendation states:-“There were a number of fatal accidents where a timely diversion or precautionary landing could have avoided an accident. In the UK there is a ‘culture’ of pressing on and hoping for the best rather accepting the inconvenience and cost of a diversion. This ‘culture’ needs to be changed, firstly by educating pilots and secondly by persuading Aerodrome owners that there should be no charge for emergency landings or diversions. It is recommended that all Aerodrome owners be persuaded to adopt a policy that there should be no charges for emergency landings or diversions by general aviation aircraft.” A full list of participating airfields can be found at <a href=”http://aopa.co.uk”>Click here for more</a>
